Henry J. “Hank” LoDestro

He was born on Jan. 4, 1949, in Jamestown, N.Y., the son of the late Joseph L. and Nina M. Gaeta LoDestro.

Hank was a 1966 graduate of Falconer High School and a graduate of Jamestown Community College and Fredonia State University. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving during the Vietnam War and Cold War. Hank served in the U.S. Navy on both active and reserve duty earning the rank of chief petty officer. While in the Naval Reserve, he served as a recruiter in the Jamestown and Rochester offices. After honorably retiring from the U.S. Navy, Hank was employed by several local business before moving to Myrtle Beach, where he was in charge of procurement at AVX Corporation.

Hank was an active member of the U.S. Navy Chiefs Association, American Legion, HOA President and had served on the board for Southwestern Soccer Club. He also coached baseball and soccer when his children were playing. Hank enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, listening to reel music tapes and celebrating good times with family and friends.

Hank was more than a father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, friend and mentor. He was the glue that kept his family all together. He was a man of pride and was proud of his Sicilian heritage, his family and service to his country.

Surviving is a son, Nicholas J. (Rebecca) LoDestro of Maryland; a daughter, Megan LoDestro of Georgia; two grandchildren: Macie and Luke LoDestro, both of Maryland; a brother, James J. (Christine) LoDestro of Texas; two sisters: Rosemary Anderson of Georgia and Mary Ann (Bob) Morris of Falconer, his aunt, Rosemarie Pane of Arizona; several nieces and nephews; and his companion, Pat Smith.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph L. LoDestro on March 15, 2017; and his mother, Nina M. LoDestro on Jan. 20, 2013.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Our Lady of Loreto Catholic Church. The Rev. Donald Watkins pastor of Our Lady of Loreto Catholic Church will be celebrant. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery with full military honors.

The family will receive friends from 5- 8 p.m. Friday in the Falconer Funeral Home. A Christian Wake service will be held at 5 p.m. Friday in the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be donated to the Chief Petty Officer LoDestro Scholarship Fund, c/o Nicholas LoDestro, 2602 W. Rhododendron Dr., Abingdon, MD 21009.

Visit our website at www.falconerfuneral home.net to send a message of condolence.